1742 September 20 (Monday). Mr. Parsons took leave, with his son Marshfield,[1] to go to Springfield. Lieutenant Brigham and Mr. Ephraim Ward[2] and Mr. Daniel Forbush at the work of the Chimneys and Noah How assisted Thomas in Tending. Capt. Warrin helps cut and hew the Mantletrees: and put in the New Boxes into my Cart. Neighbour Benjamin How put in an Axletree. Expected Mr. Boynes to go about the Well, but he did not come. Sarah Shattuck and Betty Chamberlain here to take advice upon their Spiritual Concerns, and Sarah Bellows was very helpfull in Family Business instead of Sarah Sparhawk who was Still feeble and pensive and could do little. At Eve Neighbour Eliezer Rice and Abner Newton — Brother Hicks came, and lodged. The weather Raw Cold, and this with the very different and multiplyed Cares upon my Mind, made me feel weak and feeble.
[1]Marshfield, son of Jonathan and Phebe (Griswold) Parsons, b. Feb. 3, 1733. Reuben H. Walworth, Hyde Genealogy; or the Descendants, in the Female as Well as in the Male Lines, from William Hyde, of Norwich… (2 vols.; Albany, NY: J. Munsell, 1864), 1:185.
[2]Ephraim Ward of Southborough.